One of the numerous moments of high drama during the Battle of Gettysburg occurred late in the afternoon of July 1, when Lieutenant General James Longstreet met General Robert E. Lee on the east side of Seminary Ridge, according to some in the vicinity of the Lutheran Theological Seminary. It was there when Longstreet suggested to Lee that the Confederate army disengage following their victory and maneuver away from Gettysburg to the south and east. Lee, aware of the numerous hazards and complexities involved with this suggestion, informed Longstreet of his decision to renew the fighting the next day on the ground in front of them if the enemy was still there-a suspenseful moment captured by Dale Gallon in this painting. Courtesy Gallon Historical Art, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Robert E. Lee about 1850-1852

This photograph of Robert E. Lee was taken by Matthew Brady approximately 10 years before Lee was named to the command of the Army of Northern Virginia. Lee sat for this photograph prior to his superintendency of West Point. Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library, The Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond

The Popular Image of Robert E. Lee, circa 1861

Based on the Brady photo taken about 1850-1852, this image of Lee was widely circulated early in the war. It is a reworked engraving whereby the uniform was painted on in an attempt to portray Lee as a Major General of Virginia militia. Library of Congress

Robert E. Lee (1807-1870)

One of the most famous images of Robert E. Lee is this photograph taken in Julian Vannerson's studio in Richmond a few months after Gettysburg. The general's piercing eyes reflects his keen intellect and penetrating insight. Library of Congress

Walter Herron Taylor (1838-1916)

A member of Lee's staff from the spring of 1861 to the end of the war, Walter Taylor served in the capacity of assistant adjutant general. Taylor was no ordinary staff officer, but an exceedingly capable and tireless worker with many responsibilities. Had Taylor performed the same duties while on Napoleon's staff, his functions would have been equivalent to two of Napoleon's most trusted and powerful lieutenants-the Grand Marshal of the Palace and Chief of Staff. Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library, The Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond

Edward Porter Alexander (1835-1910)

Arguably the most capable Confederate artillery officer serving in the Army of Northern Virginia at the time of Gettysburg, Alexander's extensive writings on the great battle are among the most cited accounts by any participant in Lee's army. Library of Congress

William Nelson Pendleton (1809-1883)

The Episcopal Reverend was the army's nominal chief of artillery, and undoubtedly the weakest link in the chain of Lee's small staff. Although Pendleton owed his rank and status to Jefferson Davis-a situation that General Lee recognized-there is plenty of evidence supplied by contemporaries in the Army of Northern Virginia to conclude that Lee's artillery reorganization following Chancellorsville was designed to minimize Pendleton's impact on the battlefield. Library of Congress

Armistead Lindsay Long (1825-1891)

An elegant and highly intelligent officer, A. L. Long was an artillerist by profession who was assigned to Robert E. Lee in May, 1862, in the capacity as Lee's military secretary. Long served in this capacity until the fall of 1863, when he was promoted and assigned commander of the artillery of the Second Corps. At Gettysburg, Lee utilized Long's experience as an artillery officer with such important tasks as reconnoitering terrain and the proper placement of batteries. Library of Congress

John Bell Hood (1831-1879)

A tenacious fighter whose capable tactics in coordinating infantry and artillery complimented perfectly the demeanor and confidence of his troops, John Bell Hood was at Gettysburg arguably Lee's best major general, and the finest division commander of the war. Hood's wounding during the opening stages of the fighting on July 2, 1863, was a heavy blow to the Confederate army, and his loss adversely affected the full contribution of his division in Lee's modified en échelon plan of attack. Library of Congress

Henry Heth (1825-1899)

Allegedly the only soldier Robert E. Lee addressed by his first name, Henry Heth, nicknamed "Harry," was relatively new to division command at Gettysburg. Often blamed for embroiling the Confederate army in a battle not of Lee's choosing, Heth's advance to Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, sparked the initial fighting of the epic battle. Library of Congress

James Longstreet (1821-1904)

The senior corps commander in the Army of Northern Virginia at the time of Gettysburg, James Longstreet was called by Lee "my war horse." Longstreet's actions (or inaction) on July 2 and July 3 gives rise to the continuing argument that the corps commander was either a blessing to General Lee, or an albatross around the Confederate commanding general's neck during the battle. Library of Congress

Ambrose Powell Hill (1825-1865)

One of Lee's most aggressive and favorite division commanders, Powell Hill's service record figured prominently in Lee's decision to promote Hill to lieutenant general in May, 1863, and placed Hill in command the newly-created Third Corps. However, once elevated to corps command, a different Powell Hill emerged. His baffling performance at Gettysburg makes for a strong case that Hill had been promoted beyond his capabilities, and what's more, by his actions, he knew that he was out of his depth. Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library, The Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond

Richard Stoddard Ewell (1817-1872)

Ewell's career within Lee's army is somewhat analogous to that of Powell Hill. Serving with distinction as an aggressive brigade and division commander, Ewell's record as a corps commander left much to be desired. Perhaps the most defining moment in Ewell's career took place in the afternoon of July 1, 1863, when he failed to act upon two orders from General Lee to pursue and complete the Confederate victory. Library of Congress

George Edward Pickett (1825-1875)

Although graduating last in his West Point Class of 1846, George Pickett demonstrated up through the Gettysburg campaign that he was a good combat officer with a lust for glory. When preparing his brigades for their famous charge on July 3, 1863, Pickett had been assured that supporting troops would be close behind in order to solidify the gains made by his division. When that support failed to materialize, the attack had no chance for success. George Pickett and his division would never be the same. George Edward Pickett (1825-1875) Library of Congress

James Ewell Brown Stuart (1833-1864)

Supremely confident in his abilities and in those of his men, "Jeb" Stuart was one of the Confederacy's most famous soldiers. The dashing cavalryman's qualities seemed to embody the romantic chivalric myth so dear to the South, yet it was these qualities that had sown the seeds of disaster in the Gettysburg campaign. Library of Congress

Richard Heron Anderson (1821-1879)

Considered by his contemporaries as being very smart while at the same time tending to be lazy, Richard Anderson's shortcomings were fully realized on July 2, 1863. With his division heavily involved in the attack en échelon, Anderson inexplicably remained well to the rear and consequently was unable to properly excerise his command responsibilities. Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library, The Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond

Jubal Anderson Early (1816-1894)

One of the more prominent officers in the Army of Northern Virginia from 1862 through 1864, Jubal Early possessed a forceful personality, which is illustrated by the allegation that he was the only officer who swore in General Lee's presence. At Gettysburg, Early's force of personality contributed in different ways to having deleterious effects on his superior, Dick Ewell. After the war, when answers were being sought as to why the Confederates lost at Gettysburg, Early became the most visible proponent of trying to saddle James Longstreet with the blame for the lost battle on July 2-a myth that continues to this day. Library of Congress

John Brown Gordon (1832-1904)

Despite his lack of formal military training, John Brown Gordon was an officer of considerable talent. His rise from the rank of captain to major general consists of one of the most impressive achievements in the history of Lee's army. At the time of Gettysburg, Gordon was a brigadier general, and it was his crushing attack on July 1 that unhinged the right flank of the Federal line at what is now called Barlow's Knoll. Library of Congress

Charles Marshall (1830-1902)

A member of General Lee's inner circle, Charles Marshall served for three years on the commanding general's staff. Hailing from a distinguished Virginia family, Charles' most illustrious relative was Chief Justice John Marshall, a great uncle. Educated at Warren Green Academy and at the University of Virginia, where he "bore off the highest honors of the University" with a masters degree at the age of 18, Charles Marshall penned many of General Lee's most famous directives, including the orders and parameters of operations for the Gettysburg campaign sent to "Jeb" Stuart. His writings on Gettysburg must rank among the most important pieces by Confederate participants. Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library, The Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond

Jefferson Finis Davis (1808-1889)

As President of the Confederate States of America, no one was more committed to the cause for Southern independence, yet ironically, Davis' personality during his tenure as chief executive contained many elements of a Greek tragedy. Among these were his inability to admit that he could be wrong about anything. This personality trait, combined with his flawed 'strategy of defense by dispersal,' resulted in Davis failing to recognize the need to fully support the one successful commander and army of the Confederacy during the crucial Gettysburg campaign. Library of Congress

William Dorsey Pender (1834-1863)

As strict a disciplinarian as he was an aggressive and capable officer, Dorsey Pender of North Carolina was a rising star in the Army of Northern Virginia at the time of Gettysburg. Pender's excellent combat record had earned him a promotion to major general following Chancellorsville, and he sustained that reputation as commander of the Light Division on the first day's fighting at Gettysburg. The mortal wounding of Pender late in the afternoon of July 2, 1863, could not have come at a more inopportune time for General Lee's attack en échelon, and for the cause of Southern independence. Library of Congress

William Barksdale (1821-1863)

The commander of one of the best brigades of the war, William Barksdale, was a lawyer, soldier and politician prior to 1861. Although Barksdale and his Mississippians built an impressive combat record prior to the summer of 1863, it was their crushing attack delivered at the Peach Orchard on July 2 for which they are most remembered. In what one journalist described as "the grandest charge of the war," Barksdale and his hard-fighting command wrecked the equivalent of an entire Federal division and numerous batteries of artillery. Library of Congress

Cadmus Marcellus Wilcox (1824-1890)

A skillful tactician, Cadmus Wilcox was one of the Army of Northern Virginia's best brigade commanders at the time of Gettysburg. Wilcox's writings about the battle are particularly important to an understanding of Confederate operations, and one of his more important recollections is how General Lee was on the scene at the southern end of the battlefield on July 2 following the march of Longstreet's corps. Once Lee had given orders for the implementation of the modified plan of attack en échelon, Wilcox recalled that the commanding general issue personal instructions to him so that his brigade of Alabamians would properly cover the left flank of McLaws' Division during the afternoon assault. Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library, The Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond

George Gordon Meade (1815-1872)

Having very limited combat experience as a corps commander, George Meade appeared to be an unlikely choice to replace Joe Hooker as commander of the Army of the Potomac. During the fighting on July 2 at Gettysburg, Meade's active direction of the army displayed the characteristics that he was accustomed to as a division commander. By shifting so many troops, Meade stripped the reserves from the right wing of the Federal army and opened up the "opportunity" that the Confederate attack en échelon was designed to create and that General Lee was seeking. Library of Congress

Winfield Scott Hancock (1824-1886)

Up until the summer of 1863, Hancock had fought credibly, and had received his promotion to the command of the Second Corps in the Army of the Potomac near the outset of the Gettysburg campaign. It was, however, his performance at the epic battle that caused one biographer to label Hancock "The Superb." His contributions on all three days of the confrontation earned Hancock the status of being an invaluable subordinate to General Meade. Library of Congress

Hancock at Gettysburg

The heroic image of Hancock riding his lines during the artillery bombardment that preceded the Confederate attack on July 3, remains as one of the most lasting in the Gettysburg story. Library of Congress

Robert Emmett Rodes (1829-1864)

Considered by some writers as the best division commander in the Army of Northern Virginia after Gettysburg until his death on September 19, 1864, Robert Rodes displayed none of these qualities during the pivotal battle. Despite having eight hours to prepare, Rodes' crucial failure to get any of his division into action on July 2 must rank as the nadir of his career. Library of Congress

Lafayette McLaws (1821-1897)

Although not brilliant, nor quick while on the offensive, Lafayette McLaws was a reliable division commander. Up until Gettysburg, McLaws' was the protégé of James Longstreet, who undoubtedly understood the characteristics and shortcomings of the division commander. As a result, on the afternoon of July 2, Longstreet maintained a tight control over the timing of the advance of McLaws' brigades during the development of the en échelon attack. McLaws resented Longstreet's controlling hand over his division, the root of which was McLaws' lack of understanding as to the subtlety by which Longstreet allowed the tactical situation to develop before committing more brigades into action. Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library, The Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond

Abner Monroe Perrin (1827-1864)

Described by a fellow South Carolinian as "an officer of remarkable gallantry," Abner Perrin was another of many talented officers to rise to prominence within the famed brigade of Maxcy Gregg and Samuel McGowan. With McGowan severely wound at Chancellorsville, Perrin directed the brigade at Gettysburg. On July 1, Perrin's skill and audacity was matched by the fire-eaters of his brigade as the South Carolinians delivered a most impressive attack which broke the Federal First Corps line in the area of the Lutheran Theological Seminary. Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library, The Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond

James Power Smith

Son of a minister and a seminary student before the war, James Power Smith was promoted from a corporal in the famous Rockbridge Artillery to a member of "Stonewall" Jackson's staff during the Sharpsburg campaign. During the Gettysburg campaign, Smith not only brought General Lee information that Stuart was still south of the Potomac and east of the Blue Ridge as of June 28, but Smith also played a central role in the drama of July 1, 1863. Smith, who delivered to Ewell the second direct order from General Lee to pursue the retreating Federals and to take Cemetery Hill, put the blame squarely on Ewell for not acting on this order. Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library, The Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond

The White House of the Confederacy

As President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis established both office and living space in the John Brockbrough House, located in what is known as the historic Court End District of downtown Richmond, Virginia. Built in 1818 and a National Historic Landmark, this house was the location where Robert E. Lee attended the high level conference with Davis and his cabinet members in mid-May, 1863. The Brockenbrough (pronounced "Broke-en-bro") house now serves as part of the complex of the Museum of the Confederacy. Library of Congress

Attack on Chapultepec Castle

The formidable stone fortress and castle of the Mexican national military academy, the Colegio Militar, were on el Cerro de Chapultepec just outside Mexico City. Undaunted by the apparent strength of the Mexican position and believing in the leadership qualities of his officers and the élan of his men, Winfield Scott opted to attack Chapultepec on 13 September 1847. This painting shows the American forces storming up the southeast side of the hill. Library of Congress

Chapultepec Castle, view from the west

The Americans assaulted Chapultepec from two directions-southeast and west. This view shows the western face of the hill and castle. Library of Congress

Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)

Ranking fourth in seniority among the full-rank generals of the Confederacy, Johnston is perhaps best described by the nickname given him by one noted Southern historian: "Retreatin' Joe." In the summer of 1863, Johnston was in charge of the important and expansive Department of the West that included Vicksburg. Johnston's tenure as department head was marked by exceedingly poor planning and dismal communication. When these traits were combined with Johnston's penchant to simply count numbers and take only corresponding defensive action, the result for the Confederate forces was predictable-retreat and defeat. Library of Congress

General Winfield Scott (1786-1866)

The most influencial American military man of the first-half of the 19th century, Winfield Scott was a consumate solider, and arguably the most well-rounded officer in American history. Brave, resourceful, energetic, audacious and perceptive, Scott was a great organizer, meticulous drill instructor, gifted tactican, remarkable strategist and capable diplomat. Having had the chance to extensively observe Robert E. Lee during the Mexican War, Scott believed that Lee was the greatest soldier he ever saw.

Isaac Ridgeway Trimble (1802-1888)

One of the better generals in the Army of Northern Virginia, Isaac Trimble was arguably the most underutilized Confederate officer during the Gettysburg campaign. Library of Congress

The Issue of the Location of Lee's Headquarters

General Lee established his headquarters in a group of tents on the eastern face of Seminary Ridge on the south side of the Chambersburg Pike, just across from the Widow Mary Thompson House that sits on the northern edge of the same road. Throughout the battle, Lee and many other Confederate officers used the Thompson house intermittently. Library of Congress

Evergreen Cemetery Gatehouse

East Cemetery Hill's most distinguishing landmark is the gatehouse to the Evergreen Cemetery, which at the time of the battle was a community burial ground. Library of Congress

Fredericksburg and the Rappahannock River

Defending a river line by stationing forces behind it was not a recommended course of action. Notable Great Captains such as Gustavus Adolphus, Frederick the Great and Napoleon recognized the flaws of this deployment. Despite the lessons of history, Confederate President Jefferson Davis mandated the Rappahannock River as a defensive line to be held-a position both Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson recognized as offering no advantage for the Confederates. Library of Congress

Benjamin Grubb Humphreys (1808-1882)

There are few units on either side of the war that could claim to have accomplished more in any day of battle than did the 21st Mississippi at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. Under the able direction of Colonel Humphreys, the senior colonel in Barksdale's Brigade, 21st Mississippi attacked and defeated an equivalent of a large Federal infantry brigade, as well as destroyed, captured or drove off several batteries of artillery. Library of Congress